A SCOTS firm has won a contract to deliver piling solutions for the construction of what will be the UK’s largest and most powerful electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at a park and ride facility in Oxford.
Akela Ground Engineering (GE), in Glasgow, part of the Akela Group, will use repurposed tubular steel piles at the site in the 150-vehicle Redbridge Park.
This will contain 38 ultra rapid EV chargers and will deliver 100% renewable energy.
ACS Construction appointed Akela GE to carry out the work on behalf of the Dutch company Fastned.
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The Scottish company will also be using innovative plant equipment, such as a piling rig which uses side grip equipment, to enable it to reach areas which are usually difficult to access.
This machinery will install the steel tube piles efficiently, as well as helping to reduce the disposal of surplus materials to landfill.
Akela GE said the repurposed steel tubing it will use has been recycled from the oil and gas industry and will help reduces the site’s carbon footprint by 97% when compared to using newly manufactured prime steel tube.
The new contract is Akela GE’s first electric vehicle charging point project.
However, the firm said many similar projects were expected to follow as the group as a whole continues to diversify and expand into new markets.
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It has already extended its reach into England with the establishment of a regional headquarters operation in Leeds.
Mark Markey, Akela Group managing director, said: “This project is a huge milestone on the road to decarbonising the UK’s transport sector and it is a unique opportunity for our company as we continue to place sustainability at the core of our business and expand into new markets.
“Importantly, we are continuing to find innovative solutions to reduce our own carbon footprint using techniques and materials that help to cut waste, and we are excited that this electric vehicle charging hub project will continue to have enormous sustainability benefits long after work is completed on site.”
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